Antonio Meccariello Shoes

[jischwar]

Here's another maiden voyage. My first pair of AMs, which I got almost a year ago to the day. I've worn them around the house to break in and they gave me confidence about fit and sizing, but first time wearing them outside, believe it or not.

Principes, Hawksbill last, Antiqued Burgundy patina (they change considerably depending on the light)

I think Hawksbill is my favorite AM last

 

[shoes83]

I think Hawksbill is my favorite AM last

I think it's really really nice. But I like Chisel 2 a lot. Can't decide, so probably better order both... ?

 

[acapaca]

Hawksbill is indeed gorgeous. Definitely need to try that one. I hear most size up from Chisel 2?

 

[shoes83]

Hawksbill is indeed gorgeous. Definitely need to try that one. I hear most size up from Chisel 2?

That's the case for me. I did check with Angela sizing for both, using measures A B C on AM's website.

 

[clee1982]

I don't like to upsize (length always wrong to accommodate width), up width has always worked better for me though sometimes heel gets too wide, think soft square and Hawksbill are both the I'll skip for now until I can try in person somehow... (I have soft square in 9F, pretty good but chisel 2 in 9E was better)

For round think I'll try Mayfair 2, fairly certain it would work same size as Chisel 2.

 

[deez shoes]

I don't like to upsize (length always wrong to accommodate width), up width has always worked better for me though sometimes heel gets too wide, think soft square and Hawksbill are both the I'll skip for now until I can try in person somehow... (I have soft square in 9F, pretty good but chisel 2 in 9E was better)

For round think I'll try Mayfair 2, fairly certain it would work same size as Chisel 2.

I once ordered a half size up on a pair of Hawksbill lasted shoes and it didn't work out. There was excess volume. But I have "medium" feet.

 

[Zapasman]

So, who is getting some of the cordovan centurions?

Sorry to say but its completely no sense for me to get such a wonderfull shoe in cordovan leather specially paying those prices having into account leather alternatives with AM. You have pig, supreme baby calf and some others incredible leathers form AM that will stand out in that shoe. Shell here?. What for?. Ah.. AM with shell guys?. Common...check guys what AM leather offerings are, please!. Way above Horween shell!!

Ps. I have the Alden split toe in old shell 8 which I love, but AM have much better and beautiful leather options than Alden shell.

 

[JustPullHarder]

Sorry to say but its completely no sense for me to get such a wonderfull shoe in cordovan leather specially paying those prices having into account leather alternatives with AM. You have pig, supreme baby calf and some others incredible leathers form AM that will stand out in that shoe. Shell here?. What for?. Ah.. AM with shell guys?. Common...check guys what AM leather offerings are, please!. Way above Horween shell!!

Ps. I have the Alden split toe in old shell 8 which I love, but AM have much better and beautiful leather options than Alden shell.

While cordovan does have its own appeal, I don't think there is much of a point for a cordovan with a skin stitch. Does it require skill? Sure, but I feel you are sacrificing the aesthetics (i.e. you basically don't get any pie crust)

 

[clee1982]

why don't you get pie crust?

 

[JustPullHarder]

why don't you get pie crust?

It seems like the effect doesn't shoe through the cordovan from what I've seen. I don't own any though.

 

[Zapasman]

While cordovan does have its own appeal, I don't think there is much of a point for a cordovan with a skin stitch. Does it require skill? Sure, but I feel you are sacrificing the aesthetics (i.e. you basically don't get any pie crust)

Yep, I do not recall to see a pie crust stitching using shell. I understand that shell is not malleable enough while using this technique so split and lift is the way to go usually. Same happens with some thick old kudu from GG.

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

Sorry to say but its completely no sense for me to get such a wonderfull shoe in cordovan leather specially paying those prices having into account leather alternatives with AM. You have pig, supreme baby calf and some others incredible leathers form AM that will stand out in that shoe. Shell here?. What for?. Ah.. AM with shell guys?. Common...check guys what AM leather offerings are, please!. Way above Horween shell!!

Ps. I have the Alden split toe in old shell 8 which I love, but AM have much better and beautiful leather options than Alden shell.

While cordovan does have its own appeal, I don't think there is much of a point for a cordovan with a skin stitch. Does it require skill? Sure, but I feel you are sacrificing the aesthetics (i.e. you basically don't get any pie crust)

I actually wanted to pick up a pair. And here's why...

The appeal of Cordovan for me lies in the ease one can attain a shine. A natural one not necessarily a mirror shine. I don't like mirror shines on SpTDs. Having that paired up with the, aforementioned, SpTD style makes for a cleaner overall appearance versus what say pigskin offers.

Secondly, some bragging rights ?.

The main reason why I haven't proceeded with an actual commission is the price. For that money, I can just pick up a pair of Hiro Yanagimachi's SpTD which I prefer more.

 

[DL120]

I actually wanted to pick up a pair. And here's why...

The appeal of Cordovan for me lies in the ease one can attain a shine. A natural one not necessarily a mirror shine. I don't like mirror shines on SpTDs. Having that paired up with the, aforementioned, SpTD style makes for a cleaner overall appearance versus what say pigskin offers.

Secondly, some bragging rights ?.

The main reason why I haven't proceeded with an actual commission is the price. For that money, I can just pick up a pair of Hiro Yanagimachi's SpTD which I prefer more.

Yeah I think it just comes down to whether it’s something you want or not. I have 2 pair of shell from acme with a pie crust stitch and it’s as if not more distinct textures throughout the apron than suede has from acme or Antonio. But honestly, I find it interesting how some have strong opinions on an offering like this, when it’s no different than any other offer he has on the webshop that is not of interest.

as far as the price point comparing to Hiro, I believe Hiro is around $2500+ for rtw/stock last mto with machine stitch and entry level finishing. The shell centurion offer is basically receiving Aurum bottoming and finishing. Handstitched outsoles, the type of finishing you don’t see with Argentum handwelted. I only share the context,because otherwise it appears there is a significant up charge for shell, when yes, there is, but the other part of the increase $$ is because it’s higher level than Argentum.

but we’ll see how it turns out next week. He finished my pair last week.

 

[bernoulli]

I am so glad I find cordovan shoes ugly and clunky. I also dislike SpTDs, for which my wallet is really thankful, for once. But one thing: why do people insist on making comparisons such as "why pay X for maker A when you can get shoe Y from maker B at a fraction of that price"? Let's not fool ourselves, we are not optimizing any objective function. If one values a special stitch from Antonio for 1,800 euros, more power to him/her. I am sure BColl is not the only one who has too many shoes.

I get when people say "I would rather pay X extra for Hiro instead of splurging 1800 on this offering from Meccariello". What I don't get is when people expect others to follow that same logic. Everybody here is a shoe sinner and likes what they like. Example: I can get Chinese shoemakers to replicate Meccariello for half the price. Still, I am in this thread pondering if I can justify yet another pair from the Maestro. Rationally, I can't: my disposable income has fallen substantially and I have too many shoes (not like BColl, of course, but more than I "need"). Just my 0.02.

 

[JustPullHarder]

Yeah I think it just comes down to whether it’s something you want or not. I have 2 pair of shell from acme with a pie crust stitch and it’s as if not more distinct textures throughout the apron than suede has from acme or Antonio. But honestly, I find it interesting how some have strong opinions on an offering like this, when it’s no different than any other offer he has on the webshop that is not of interest.

As far as pie crust my experience has been:

smooth > hatch > pebbled grain > dark suede > light suede

Specifically I am talking about the pie crust effect.

I don't have particular feelings as to why someone would want a pie crust apron with cordovan aesthetically. I feel the same way about cordovan cap toes.

Does it offend me that they get made or get sold? Not in the least. But perhaps I am missing something and without expressing my view it's much harder to be convinced otherwise.

Wasn't aware that it was finished to Aurum rather than Argentum standards with hand stitched outsoles. In such case the price is far more palatable (I wouldn't have said his price would have been bad if it were just Argentum finishing. It's more the delta and essentially paying double for the upper materials)